Hollywood Motion Picture Review (1937-1940)

August 14, 1937 HOLLYWOOD MOTION PICTURE REVIEW Page 3 PREVIEWS OF CURRENT RELEASES Pictures Are Reviewed Only From A Box-Office Angle. Key to Ratings BOX-OFFICE RATING AA Exceptionally big picture A Very good B Good average product C Weak D No recommendation PRODUCTION COST RATING E Lavish production F Average production G An economy picture ARTISTIC RATING H bcellent I Good J Indifferent CENSORSHIP RATING K Clean product — nothing offensive L Moderate amount of suggestive or objectionable material, unlikely to arouse opposition except in very conservative communities M Contains considerable censorable material N Apt to arouse serious objection CLASS OF HOUSE O Suited to all theatres P Good product for smaller houses 0 May be good first-run product, but doubtful for smaller houses, neighborhoods and small towns. R Must be handled with care if shown to family trade S Suitable booking for colored trade TYPE OF PICTURE a Comedy drama d Mystery drama b Melodrama e Comedy c Musical f Western DOUBLE OR NOTHING Paramount CROSBY & CAST IN HIGHLY ENTERTAINING FILM OF SONG, MUSIC AND SPECIALTY NUMBERS. FINE STORY PREMISE. Produced by Benjamin Glaier. Directed by Theodore Reed. Screenplay by Charles Lederer, Erwin Gelsey, John C. Moffitt, and Duke Atteberry. Based on a story by M. Coates Webster. Sound by Charles Hisserich and Don Johnson. Photographed by Karl Struss, A.S.C. Release date Sept. 17, 1937. Running time at preview 90 minutes. Lefty Boylan Liza Lou Lane Half-Pint Vicki Clark Peterson . Sailor Jonathan Clark Egbert Martha Sewell Clark Praxiteles Mr. Mitchell Mr. Dobson Rutherford Orchestra THE CAST BING CROSBY MARTHA RAYE ANDY DEVINE . MARY CARLISLE WILLIAM FRAWLEY BENNY BAKER SAMUEL S. HINDS WILLIAM HENRY FAY HOLDEN BERT HANLON GILBERT EMERY WALTER KINGSFORD JOHN GALLAUDET HARRY BARRIS Rating; A. E. H. K. O. c/a. The Story: Crosby, Martha Raye, Devine and Frawley are handed $5000 each, thru the will of an eccentric millionaire. They're told to double the money in 30 days, and receive the entire fortune. Otherwise it goes to the in-laws, a brother, Hinds: sister-in-law. Fay Holden, and a niece, Mary Carlisle. The four pool their resources and talents, with Hinds and his family baffling them at every turn. Mary doesn't want to help, but Hinds tells her he is in trouble at the bank and needs the money to cover losses. Hinds swindles Frawley out of his share: Fay trips up Devine's business venture: Hinds gets Martha, a former striptease dancer, tossed in jail, and Mary inveigles Crosby into leasing a building for a night club, and handing him a trick lease. But at the last minute she realizes she loves Crosby and things end happily for all. COMMENT : Besides the several spectac ular and lavish production settings for the picture’s background, and the specialty acts of note, Producer Benjamin Glazer is also to be congratulated on the manner in which he introduces the songs and music. As a result, Bing Crosby croons while in action and the stilted acting shown in previous hlms, is eliminated. To date this is Crosby’s best picture as far as entertainment is concerned. Quite an innovation in the picture is a band composed of singers, who imitate with their voices various band instruments, producing extremely beautiful music; this sing band is sure to go over with a wallop and become the latest in novelty music. Mary Carlisle is a natural — her work in this film is very satisfying and she should go far on this record. Martha Raye, as usual, does her own inimitable clowning, while Andy Devine helps handle the comedy in good form. William Frawley, Samuel Hinds, Fay Holden and others were good in supporting roles. Benny Baker had a small but effective part. The specialty numbers were all well executed. A number of people had a part in making this picture a success, but to Theodore Reed goes considerable credit for his careful precision and expert direction of the excellent story and guiding of each player, resulting in a fine picture full of entertaining qualities. Photography by Karl Struss is excellent. Good songs and music throughout picture. Sing band arrangements by Max Terr are clever. Advertising: Bing Crosby’s best picture, with good songs and music; entertaining and delightful cast. Play up Martha Raye. Display art of Crosby and Mary Carlisle, only actress to play star’s leading lady for the second time. Play up unusual story and the theme “Does honesty pay? — see f ).” Shadowgraphs on wall in lobby or foyer; miniature golf with prize for hole in one. Commercial tie-ups for automobile radios, bottled water company, sporting goods stores for golf accessories, backgammon sets. Snipe Time magazine. Offer prize in a dance contest held in street in front of theatre to young couple executing most number of dance routines.— A. B. BROADWAY MELODY OF 1938 M.G.M. TAYLOR AND ELEANOR POWELL PLUS A DRAW TITLE INSURES GOOD BOX-OFFICE RETURNS THOUGH STORY FAULTY. Produced by Jack Cummings. Directed by Roy Del Ruth. Screenplay by Jack McGowan. Original story by Sid Silvers and Jack McGowan. Photographed by Bill Daniels. Release date Aug. 18, 1937. Running time at preview 110 minutes. Steve Raleigh Sally Lee Sonny Ledford Caroline Whipple . Peter Trot Al ice Clayton Betty Clayton Nick! Papaloopas ... Herman Whipple Hamilton Brown Willie Howard James K. Blakeley .. The Sneezer George Papaloopas Jerry Jason Emma Snipe THE CAST ROBERT TAYLOR ELEANOR POWELL GEORGE MURPHY .... BINNIE BARNES BUDDY EBSEN . SOPHIE TUCKER . JUDY GARLAND CHARLES IGOR GORIN RAYMOND WALBURN ROBERT BENCHLEY BY HIMSELF CHARLEY GRAPEWIN ROBERT WILDHACK BILLY GILBERT BARNETT PARKER HELEN TROY Rating; A. E. H. K. O. c. The Story: Eleanor Powell, a dancer, hides In a car with a race horse belonging to Binnie Barnes, in order to get to New York. Once there, she and Taylor, playwright, buy the slightly injured horse from Binnie, who later backs Taylor's musical. She withdraws her financial support when he refuses to put Eleanor out of the show. They enter their horse in a big race and win the purse, and this enables the building of a bigger and better production. Eleanor is a sensation and the show a success. Their romance is brought to a conclusion and everyone is happy. COMMFNT : Since all Broadway Mel ody pictures have been good money makers, this film will undoubtedly follow in line. Cast names of Robert Tavlor and Fleanor Powell, plus sure-fire title, can almost be depended upon for excellent box-office receipts. However, the story is nothing to brag about. The continuity is jerky and .seems to llounder around too much. There is a fairly sood romance and some amusing dialogue, but the show is somewhat lacking in comedy relief. The music is excellent and most of the songs are catchy. While there is an abundance of tap dancing. Miss Powell’s work does not surpass her previous efforts and some patrons may complain the adorable Eleanor was not given as good an opportunity to show her dancing talents as in previous films. George Murphy almost steals the picture, and his dancing is excellent. Robert Taylor’s work, while good, is a little lacking in the usual Taylor sparkle the leminine fans desire. Supporting players whose work stands out as colorful include Judy Garland, Buddy Ebsen, Binnie Barnes, Charles Igor Gorin, Billy Gilbert. Sophie Tucker and others. The original screen story by Jack McGowan and Sid Silvers contains a good plot premise but the treatment permits looseness to creep in. Roy Del Ruth’s direction is commendable and the photography by William Daniels is excellent. There is a lavish and spectacular climax ensemble number which will w’in favor owing to its unusual staging and novel presentation. It is in this number that Eleanor Powell and George Murphy score with their best dancing. Supporting the stars are scores of beautiful girls. Advertising: Title, plus names of Elea nor Powell and Robert Tavlor. are main draw. Remind patrons all Broadway Melody pictures have been successes and to see this one. Tie up with tap dancing teachers for tuition prize; also for student demonstration on stage. Hold a .song-writing contest with prize for best lyrics about movie stars. Tie uu with local ice cream dealer for free refreshments for youngsters. Use pretty girl or girls wrapped in cellophane as street truck ballyhoo title placarded. “Follow My Footsteps” number lends itself to stencil on street corners in title noveltv. Hold a Broadway Melody contest, using Eleanor Powell’s figure as model pattern. Hold a title fashion show. Tie ups with music stores, radio stations, newspaper fashion editors and shoe stores. Opportunity for Race Night stunt show. Hold a sneezing contest on stage. Tie up with local music store to furnish voice recording machine in lobby for free auditions. — JOE BLAIR. (Additional Previews on page 5)